17 February 2012

Mitre 10 Community of the Year is world famous in New Zealand.

One of the country’s most iconic small towns proved last night it has more than just a giant bottle at its heart.

The community of Paeroa, world famous in New Zealand for its “Lemon and Paeroa” drink, was announced last night as the winner of the Mitre 10 Community of the Year Award at the New Zealander of the Year Awards ceremony in Auckland.

The annual awards, now in its third year, recognise the achievements of New Zealanders making exceptional contributions to their communities.
The Community of the Year Award focuses on team work, enthusiasm, hard work and co-operation and acknowledges groups and organisations working together to build better communities.

Paeroa was described as a community with a large number of volunteers at its centre, whose can-do attitude has seen it develop into a safe and vibrant place.

Thanks to a number of groups such as the Paeroa Community Support Trust, Positive Paeroa and the Paeroa Promotions Trust, holding events throughout the year, the town is also fast becoming known as a tourism destination, not to mention the “Antiques Town of New Zealand.”
Chairperson of the Paeroa Ward Committee, Julie Bubb said it was a huge honour to collect the award.

“I’m delighted to accept the award on behalf of the community. There have been a lot of people working very hard in Paeroa so winning is great recognition for all the time and effort these people have put in. This award is a great boost for Paeroa so we are feeling very proud of what we have achieved together as a community.”

She last night accepted a winner’s cheque of $5000 and a hand-crafted trophy for the award. Julie said she would like to see the prize money going towards a sculpture to mark the original Paeroa spring but that the Committee would discuss this before any decision was made.

Other finalists for the Community of the Year Award were the Canterbury Charity Hospital in Christchurch and the Asian Events Trust in Wellington.
Mitre 10 chief executive John Hartmann said it was an honour to host the Community of the Year Award for the third year and said the spirit of the Paeroa Community was inspirational for all New Zealanders.

Other winners announced at last night’s awards included the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year- Sir Richard Taylor, Countdown Senior New Zealander of the Year- Malcolm Cameron, Coca-Cola Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year- Sam Johnson, and the Kiwi Bank Local Hero of the Year- Henare O’Keefe.

Mitre 10 is New Zealand’s largest hardware retailer and has been a wholly New Zealand owned and operated co-operative since 1974.